Tygart Lake State Park marina closing July 13 weekend because of low water levels

            GRAFTON, W.Va. – Low water levels at Tygart Lake in Taylor County have resulted in the imminent closure of the marina at Tygart Lake State Park the weekend of July 13. Water release from Tygart Lake is at minimum flow. Elevation for maximum (reservoir full) is 1,167 and normal summer pool is 1,094.

            “The lake will be at 17 feet below summer pool by July 19, which is 1,077 feet in elevation,” said Jim Browning, assistant superintendent at the state park. By August 2, the pool will be at 1,071 feet, which is 23 feet below normal summer pool. 

             “With no significant rainfall in the forecast, the marina is forced to close,” Browning said. “The docks will be removed first and then the ramps. The marina is expecting all boats to be out by July 15 and the gas docks to be pulled on July 18 or 19.” 

            The marina will close for the season the weekend of July 13. One ramp at the marina area is currently out of service due to low water conditions and a second ramp is operational but will be out of service soon. Access to the lake will only be available at the Pleasant Creek Wildlife Management side of the lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the lake, will begin the normal winter draw down on August 15.

            Tygart Lake State Park operates the recreational and overnight accommodation features of the Tygart Lake area. The state park features a 20-room lodge overlooking the lake controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. The lodge, meeting facilities, and The Boston Beanery restaurant are open year-round.  Vacation cabins, campground, picnic area and marina are seasonal in operation.  The marina is operated privately as a concession contract for the state park by Tygart Lake Marina, LLC. Tygart Lake Mariana’s phone number is 304-265-3974.

            For additional information about Tygart Lake State Park, lodge and cabin reservations and activities, visit www.tygartlake.com or call 304-265-6144.  Tygart Lake State Park has power restored and continues with cleanup and recovery following the summer storms.

            With the exception of the administrative area and visitors center in the vicinity of the dam, the lake and its surrounding federal lands are out-granted by the Corps of Engineers to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of Tygart Lake State Park and the Pleasant Creek Hunting and Fishing Area.

About Tygart Lake (from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website):

            Tygart Lake is an Army Corps of Engineers lake, 10-miles long and 1,750 acres on the Tygart River in Taylor County about 2.25 miles above Grafton. The lake is located in Taylor and Barbour Counties.

            Tygart Lake was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1935. Tygart Dam was the first of 16 flood control projects in the Pittsburgh District.  The project provides flood protection for the Tygart River Valley as well as for the Monongahela and upper Ohio Rivers. Since its completion in 1938, Tygart has prevented flood damages estimated to be nearly $1.2 billion.

            In addition to flood control, the Tygart project was also authorized for navigation and water supply purposes. During the summer and fall low-water season, Tygart releases additional water downstream to meet navigation water supply requirements on the Monongahela and upper Ohio River for commercial navigation. The increased flow also improves water quality and quantity for domestic and industrial use, recreation, aesthetics and aquatic life.